press releases 2009

U.S. Trained Internal Security Forces Cadets and Officers Graduate

September 17, 2009

Ambassador Michele J. Sison celebrated the graduation of 265 cadets, who completed the U.S.- Lebanese Basic Cadet Course, and 25 officers, who completed the U.S.-Lebanese Supervision and Management Course, at the Internal Security Forces (ISF) Academy in Warwar.  

The U.S. instruction team has trained over 1500 ISF members in basic and advanced police courses since January 2008.  The cadet course is a ten-week, state-of-the-art training program, taught by U.S. instructors with the assistance of Lebanese police and legal professionals.  Cadets learn the latest policing and law enforcement skills and how to apply these to on-the-job situations. 

Mobile training by U.S. instructors and ISF officers is on-going.  More than 1400 Mobile Force cadets will be trained in modern techniques over the next six months.   This training uses video simulations, placing the cadets in realistic situations.  

The $88 million U.S. assistance program to the ISF strengthens the professional capacity of the ISF and is part of the overall U.S. security assistance program to Lebanon.  The law enforcement program assists the ISF to enforce the rule of law and protect the Lebanese people.  The professional development of the ISF is critical for Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and security.